Happy Lunar New Year! The Chinese Chamber of Commerce of San Francisco has debuted six beautifully painted, life-size tiger statues to ring in the Year of the Tiger on February 1. The statues, which were painted by local artists, have been placed at strategic points around the city and are available for the public to see until February 19. Visitors who manage to snap a pic of the tigers can enter a photo contest and win prizes! After the display period ends, the statues will be auctioned off with proceeds benefitting local community nonprofits.
Here’s a little about each tiger:
1. Voyager Tiger (Union Square)
Yiyang (Vito) Deng created this blue tiger statue with a design connecting nature and machines. See plum blossoms and bamboo created in the traditional Chinese ink painting style, alongside printed circuit boards to represent travel and connection. Sponsored by Alaska Airlines.
2. Posterity Tiger (Asian Art Museum)
Yumei Hou, who specializes in the Chinese art of paper cutting, created a smiling red tigress with a cut-out design featuring the word “shou” for longevity, peaches representing health and happiness, and a zigzag pattern along her back to represent a family reunion. Sponsored by AARP.
3. Horizon Tiger (Whole Foods, Stonestown)
Stefanie Mufson created this radiant tiger depicting lotus flowers and goldfish for good luck against a watery background. Its springtime design transmits light, beauty, harmony, and rebirth. Sponsored by Whole Foods Market.
4. Good Fortune Tiger (Thrive Plaza, Chase Center)
Deyi (Robin) Zhao created this tiger with the prominent blue and gold Warriors colors to match its backdrop at Thrive City. It depicts the Bay Bridge to uplift the Bay Area’s Asian-American community, alongside Chinese-style clouds and vibrant fireworks on the head and legs to ward off evil spirits. Sponsored by the Golden State Warriors.
5. Harvester Tiger (Lucky Supermarket on Sloat)
Deyi (Robin) Zhao also designed this lovely tiger statue celebrating good luck and abundance. It depicts a plum tree bearing “fruit” in the form of the golden ingot (yuan bao), dumplings, and fish. It transmits good tidings of prosperity, new hope, and possibilities. Sponsored by Lucky California.
6. Wealth and Health Tiger (Portsmouth Square)
Stephanie Tsao’s dynamic red tiger features golden stripes painted in the style of Chinese calligraphy, with Chinese characters spelling out “Happy New Year” carefully positioned to emulate real tigers’ markings. Sponsored by ICBC.
Tiger on Parade
Check out these beautiful tiger sculptures and post your pictures on Facebook, Instagram, or Twitter, tagging @chineseparade and #tigeronparade. Twelve pictures will be selected to win prizes including two tickets to the Asian Art Museum, a limited-edition Tiger on Parade t-shirt, and a tiger mask. Learn more about the photo contest here.
After the tigers’ display period ends on February 19, the statues will be auctioned off with net proceeds going to the following local community nonprofits:
- Chinese Community Health Resource Center
- Southeast Asian Youth Development Center
- Chinese Culture Center
- Community Youth Center
- Self-Help for the Elderly
Follow the map below to track down the six tiger statues.
Featured image: @kooperdoodle via Instagram